CIT no match for masterful Limerick

Limerick 2-10 Cork Institute of Technology 1-3

But they were pushed all the way by a fit and disciplined CIT side.

Inspired by an early goal from talented young Kerry panellist Bryan Sheehan, the students made the early running and were unfortunate to be down two points at the interval. However, once the home side responded to the half-time urgings of manager Liam Kerins to lift their challenge, they settled down to take control.

The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the announcement that veteran midfielder John Quane would receive the trophy.

Limerick enjoyed a two-point lead before Sheehan showed his class with a well-worked goal in the 10th minute. And, followed by a point from Alan Morgan ten minutes later, it kept them in the lead until Ger Ahern scored the first of the Limerick goals two minutes before the break.

In between, CIT managed to exert continuous pressure due to the strong covering of a defence in which Michael Prout at right corner-back was heavily involved. In general, their approach work was good, except that the execution of the final pass up front was often faulty. And, some poor kicking - which accounted for seven first-half wides and four more on the resumption, further limited them.

Ahern’s goal had Limerick ahead 1-3 to 1-1 at the break. Nine minutes after the resumption, Limerick midfielder Jim Donovan was sin-binned, as was Prout in the 48th minute, after he pulled down Colm Hickey, leading to a penalty which Micheal Reidy expertly converted. In injury time, Limerick substitute Mike O’Brien had the distinction of being the last to be penalised under this experimental rule, since abandoned.

Limerick were much more competitive all over the field, with Damien Reidy and Stephen Lavin in particular taking over at half-back, Quane settling at midfield and Conor Mullane complementing the good work of Johnny Murphy, Sean Buckley and Ger Ahern. To give the students credit, they continued to win ball in defence, but the success of Limerick’s improved play meant that attack movements were being halted further back. Prout, Robert Mageean, Morgan, Paul O’Flynn and Sheehan (to a lesser degree), were all prominent at stages, but even at half-strength, Limerick’s had a greater presence on the field and coasted to victory.

Scorers: Limerick: G. Ahern 1-1; M. Reidy 1-0 (pen); J. Murphy 0-3; C. Mullane and S. Buckley 0-2 each; S. Lavin and M. Gavin 0-1 each. CIT: B. Sheehan 1-0; A. Morgan, D. O’Connor and P. Nealon 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: M. Jones; J. McCarthy, D. Sheehy, P. Browne; D. Reidy, S. Lavin, A. Lane; J. Quane (capt.) J. Donovan; S. Buckley, J. Murphy, C. Mullane; G. Ahern, M. Reidy, C. Hickey. Subs: M. O’Brien for Lane (23rd minute); M. Gavin for Murphy (55th); J. O’Connell for Hickey (57th).

CIT: K. Murphy; M. Prout, P. Nealon, P. Sheehan; N. Hennessy, R. Mageean (capt.), A. Sheehy; M. Kelleher, E. O’Connor; M. Milner, A. Morgan, D. O’Connor; D. Goulding, P. O’Flynn, B. Sheehan. Subs: J. Gardiner for Milner (36th minute); B. Twomey for Sheehy (40th); M. Vaughan for Kelleher (56th); R. Honohan for B. SheehaN (57th).

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare).

*A minute’s silence was observed in memory of former Limerick chairman Jim Hickey.